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The Mudlark Orphan
Eight year old Maise Clegg was plucked from the workhouse by the Rynotts to work on the banks of the Thames seeking treasures as a Mudlark.
Abandoned as a baby Maise never gave up hope that one day her mother would return to claim her as her own, but as she stood in the dirty river water that dream soon washed away. She soon learnt that life was like the river; dark, fast moving and dangerous.
Life would teach her lessons she had never wanted to learn, but would fate mend what had been broken, before she succumbed to the Thames as so many had before her?
Abandoned as a baby Maise never gave up hope that one day her mother would return to claim her as her own, but as she stood in the dirty river water that dream soon washed away. She soon learnt that life was like the river; dark, fast moving and dangerous.
Life would teach her lessons she had never wanted to learn, but would fate mend what had been broken, before she succumbed to the Thames as so many had before her?
- GenresHistorical
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2019
451 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 13, 2019
Interesting story. I wonder how people survived in those horrible times. Poverty, illness filth and thievery not to mention exploitation of young children forcing them to work in the most atrocious conditions.
This is almost a reminder that this period of hard times still exist in certain countries today.
An eye opener for sure.
Michele Zito
This is almost a reminder that this period of hard times still exist in certain countries today.
An eye opener for sure.
Michele Zito
January 25, 2020
When we want to indulge in the nostalgic romance of the 1700's & 1800's, this novel is a stark reminder of how the past actually was for millions of people. The vast majority of people were not wealthy nor well-to-do. The overcrowding of the populace in major cities like London and unequal distribution of wealth created a callous attitude toward society's most vulnerable. The children.
July 31, 2019
Interesting story line
The book really needs an editor and a proofreader. The story is engaging but it reads like first draft instead of a polished, finished piece. Good potential, sadly unrealized .
The book really needs an editor and a proofreader. The story is engaging but it reads like first draft instead of a polished, finished piece. Good potential, sadly unrealized .
August 1, 2019
I would give this story five stars, but it does need some editing. Many wrong words are found in the telling of this story.
A baby girl is left at the workhouse, and is raised there for eight years. She is sold to a man, who uses children to dig for treasures in the banks of the Thames river. It's a dirt and dangerous job. The children all sleep in a dirty tiny room, with not enough blankets for everyone. The story goes from one way of making a living to another as the years go by. Bad things happen to our young girl, as she moves from one situation to another. She finds herself at the end of her rope, and gives up her baby to the workhouse, and learns that her mother must have been in very bad circumstances to place her there. We just had a young friend commit suicide, and so it was hard when this young woman in the story thinks this is also her way out of her problems. What will become of this young woman, will she survive?
A baby girl is left at the workhouse, and is raised there for eight years. She is sold to a man, who uses children to dig for treasures in the banks of the Thames river. It's a dirt and dangerous job. The children all sleep in a dirty tiny room, with not enough blankets for everyone. The story goes from one way of making a living to another as the years go by. Bad things happen to our young girl, as she moves from one situation to another. She finds herself at the end of her rope, and gives up her baby to the workhouse, and learns that her mother must have been in very bad circumstances to place her there. We just had a young friend commit suicide, and so it was hard when this young woman in the story thinks this is also her way out of her problems. What will become of this young woman, will she survive?
November 21, 2019
Maise was 8 when she left the workhouse and put to work by a very unscrupulous character who had taken a bunch of young kids from there and put them to work sifting through the mud from the river, looking for anything valuable which he would then take and cash in.
The children were poorly treated and poorly fed yet, in a way, it was better than being alone on their own. Not much better, though.
The year pass. Masie becomes friends with another boy working there, Arthur, and their relationship gets stronger, hoping that some day they will be able to leave to go somewhere and live on their own. Things don't work out just the way it seems, though. There's more romance, more difficulties, cholera, death, body snatching and despair.
Still, things do work out and the book becomes a very good story of the strength of an enduring love even when it seems almost everything in the person's life is going wrong. Quite enjoyable.
The children were poorly treated and poorly fed yet, in a way, it was better than being alone on their own. Not much better, though.
The year pass. Masie becomes friends with another boy working there, Arthur, and their relationship gets stronger, hoping that some day they will be able to leave to go somewhere and live on their own. Things don't work out just the way it seems, though. There's more romance, more difficulties, cholera, death, body snatching and despair.
Still, things do work out and the book becomes a very good story of the strength of an enduring love even when it seems almost everything in the person's life is going wrong. Quite enjoyable.
August 8, 2019
Orphan with loving support
Maise was left at the workhouse as a baby. It was a hard life but she was always clean and had food to eat. At age 8, her life changed drastically. She was sold to a man who had a group of children used to work the river bank or the sewers digging for treasures to sell. Ten-year-old Arthur became her friend and protector. The author skillfully writes a sensitive story of Maize's life as she grows, lives through a life of poverty, but has protectors to help her along the way. Very well written, compelling novel. Highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this time in England.
Maise was left at the workhouse as a baby. It was a hard life but she was always clean and had food to eat. At age 8, her life changed drastically. She was sold to a man who had a group of children used to work the river bank or the sewers digging for treasures to sell. Ten-year-old Arthur became her friend and protector. The author skillfully writes a sensitive story of Maize's life as she grows, lives through a life of poverty, but has protectors to help her along the way. Very well written, compelling novel. Highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in this time in England.
April 20, 2022
An endearing story
As a mudlarker I was drawn to this book because of the title. It is a charming story about a young victorian girl who becomes a mudlarker after being ‘bought’ from a London workhouse. The story follows Maise as she becomes a mudlark for Mr snd Mrs Rynott who use children to scavenge treasures along the foreshore. The book takes us from Maise’s childhood through to adulthood. There isn’t much about mudlarking as it focuses more on Maise’s feelings and loss through her life. Still a nice quick read.
As a mudlarker I was drawn to this book because of the title. It is a charming story about a young victorian girl who becomes a mudlarker after being ‘bought’ from a London workhouse. The story follows Maise as she becomes a mudlark for Mr snd Mrs Rynott who use children to scavenge treasures along the foreshore. The book takes us from Maise’s childhood through to adulthood. There isn’t much about mudlarking as it focuses more on Maise’s feelings and loss through her life. Still a nice quick read.
July 27, 2019
Love stories that are different as this one was
I love read about things that have happen in the old times! As I know just back in my mother's time 1920' up up to the 40 was so much different than my time living in the 1950' to 1980's!
As I never heard of Mudlark before until I read this story. There for they times were much harder to go by as these young children didn't have families that love them. I loved this story!
I love read about things that have happen in the old times! As I know just back in my mother's time 1920' up up to the 40 was so much different than my time living in the 1950' to 1980's!
As I never heard of Mudlark before until I read this story. There for they times were much harder to go by as these young children didn't have families that love them. I loved this story!
January 4, 2021
Very fast, easy read. More suited for a teen, but still an interesting look at mudlarking and London life for the poor of this era. Enough depth to spark interest for more reading of the era, city and mudlarking in general. The ending was quick and too unrealistic to me even though I had predicted it when the brick was empty. Again, probably best for young teens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2019
Interesting
Learned something new...never thought about children such as these. I can definitely feel how it happened and the struggle the impoverished people had and how difficult it was to earn their living. A sad story but that was life!
Learned something new...never thought about children such as these. I can definitely feel how it happened and the struggle the impoverished people had and how difficult it was to earn their living. A sad story but that was life!
July 30, 2019
Good reading
An excellent way to spend a few hours in an wonderful historical life story filled with ups and downs . A Colourful description of old London' town and of life at that time .
An excellent way to spend a few hours in an wonderful historical life story filled with ups and downs . A Colourful description of old London' town and of life at that time .
August 2, 2019
Orphans
Fabulous story and fabulous characters. Every page has brought the past to life. How people managed in those years I don't know. Thank you Rosie for bringing it all to life. xx
Fabulous story and fabulous characters. Every page has brought the past to life. How people managed in those years I don't know. Thank you Rosie for bringing it all to life. xx
August 7, 2019
Loved this book
I really enjoyed this book so much I couldn't put it down. The way the author tells the story is like you are there watching it unfolding before you. Can't wait to read more of her books.
I really enjoyed this book so much I couldn't put it down. The way the author tells the story is like you are there watching it unfolding before you. Can't wait to read more of her books.
August 11, 2019
Good reading
This is a haunting and sincere tale of a girl pushed to survive in very difficult circumstances. She grows up amidst desperate poverty, seeking to find her way to a better life. Not too long but impactful.
This is a haunting and sincere tale of a girl pushed to survive in very difficult circumstances. She grows up amidst desperate poverty, seeking to find her way to a better life. Not too long but impactful.
August 27, 2019
Nice story
This was such a sweet, simple simple story. A story of an orphan and the terrible life she led just to exist. The story takes place in London during a difficult time in history. Good book to read!
This was such a sweet, simple simple story. A story of an orphan and the terrible life she led just to exist. The story takes place in London during a difficult time in history. Good book to read!
September 9, 2019
Depressing!
First book I have read by this author. Found it quite depressing, was waiting for a bit of cheer but didn't get it till last couple of pages. Not bedtime reading for me!
First book I have read by this author. Found it quite depressing, was waiting for a bit of cheer but didn't get it till last couple of pages. Not bedtime reading for me!
December 8, 2019
Lovely Romance
I liked the whole story , by once did I get bored .
This is a short novel about a little girl , born into poverty , and abandoned as an infant at the workhouse . You must read this book and save for reading again & again .
I liked the whole story , by once did I get bored .
This is a short novel about a little girl , born into poverty , and abandoned as an infant at the workhouse . You must read this book and save for reading again & again .
December 31, 2019
Excellent read.
Great story. The characters were ones you want to follow into the next book...but there isn't one. Loved the ups and downs and challenges and solutions the amazing lead character goes thru.
Great story. The characters were ones you want to follow into the next book...but there isn't one. Loved the ups and downs and challenges and solutions the amazing lead character goes thru.
June 12, 2020
How can sadness make you happy?
Rosie Darling.... What a perfect name for the author of a wonderful story! I'm off to sleep now as it is 1:30 am! I hope to find another of your books first thing in the morning. This was such a beautiful story, thank you.
Rosie Darling.... What a perfect name for the author of a wonderful story! I'm off to sleep now as it is 1:30 am! I hope to find another of your books first thing in the morning. This was such a beautiful story, thank you.
November 10, 2023
This is another amazing read by Rosie Darling set in a Victorian England 8yr old Maisie survives the workhouse and life takes its toil will she ever find happiness a great read and an excellent author
June 19, 2019
Great book
I think this is a must read book , Masie went through so much but still found love in the end and her friend Aurthor.
I think this is a must read book , Masie went through so much but still found love in the end and her friend Aurthor.
July 22, 2019
Never Give Up!
I love the way you write as it all seems so real - which it is! There is so much in this world we can do if we just believe something good can happen!
I love the way you write as it all seems so real - which it is! There is so much in this world we can do if we just believe something good can happen!
July 27, 2019
Captivating story line
I had never heard of mudlarks before. Very interesting. She had such a hard life but never lost hope. Well done
I had never heard of mudlarks before. Very interesting. She had such a hard life but never lost hope. Well done
August 11, 2019
Great story couldn't stop reading it,
Couldn't out it down,in a way she gone from rags to riches, she found love them lost it only to get i back again
Couldn't out it down,in a way she gone from rags to riches, she found love them lost it only to get i back again
August 13, 2019
Good read
I would recommend this book it is a great read .it covers happiness poverty an issue s of crime thanks
I would recommend this book it is a great read .it covers happiness poverty an issue s of crime thanks
September 5, 2019
Brilliant read
This book keeps you enthralled from beginning to end it is so good you cannot put it down keeps you in suspense
This book keeps you enthralled from beginning to end it is so good you cannot put it down keeps you in suspense
September 8, 2019
Heartache,hopeless,disspare
The life we live and take for granted.... Much to be thankful for.. A small taste of what some have gone through,we would never have imagined.
The life we live and take for granted.... Much to be thankful for.. A small taste of what some have gone through,we would never have imagined.
September 16, 2019
What is a mudlark??
Wonderfully emotional read. Could hardly out it down !!
Unbelievable conditions these children lived in. Yet they kept strong and determined.
Wonderfully emotional read. Could hardly out it down !!
Unbelievable conditions these children lived in. Yet they kept strong and determined.
September 27, 2019
The Mudlark orphan
A feel good story to read on a Rainey day. I enjoyed reading the story set in 19th century London
A feel good story to read on a Rainey day. I enjoyed reading the story set in 19th century London
October 8, 2019
A great read!
This book was so well written that I could not put it down until I finished it. I am trying to find more books by this author.
This book was so well written that I could not put it down until I finished it. I am trying to find more books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews